Car colors are beyond just what one prefers in terms of style, but they are a reflection of current trends, characteristics, value, and even technological changes that happen with color coordination. Now that we are in 2025, the United States has released a report on color popularity and some colors might just surprise some drivers.
According to the latest Kelley Blue Book report, there are specific colors that just seem to keep dominating in the world of cars. These colors are white, black, and gray. Of course, these colors come with different shades, with some being lighter, darker or bolder; however, these are the achromatic colors that keep dominating and still appealing to the eye of drivers and car buyers.
This ranking is not based on a personal perspective or personal opinion; rather, it is based on industry analysis and the information shared here is drawn from an article by the Kelley Blue Book report that observes these kinds of trends, resale values, and production data just to see which colors are dominating in this season. If you are planning to purchase a car that will retain great value, keep reading this article.
Every year, neutral colors continue to win
There is something about neutral colors that just makes everyone want to have them. Now this is not only about cars but even with other items. For instance, these days people would prefer having a home with neutral elements in it, like black, white, cream, and gray too. Having said that, white holds a 28% market share in the Americas, making it the most popular car color in the U.S., and its resale value is high.
White is very common, but it also just has a natural appeal to it. Besides its simplicity and appeal, it is known to reflect light and heat, which is an advantage when temperatures are high, especially in regions where the heat can be too much. It does not end there; electric vehicles have sort of adjusted to the color because their customers feel as if white brings out the elegance that they want or expect from a car.
Black and gray follow suit. According to BASF’s 2025 Global Color Report, black holds the top spot globally with a 23% market share, while gray trails at 19%. Black is one color that no one hates, I would like to believe, also because it matches and blends with any other color. Black speaks power and sophistication. Black automobiles in particular are popular among premium car purchasers because they exude luxury and high-end appeal. The only shortfall is that they need more maintenance because, if damaged, it is easy to identify. Gray has risen because of its modesty and versatile appearance.
An unexpected change: More colorful options are coming up
While neutral colors are dominating, other vibrant colors seem to be emerging. It means people are slowly opening up to more options and trying out new color choices. For example, blue. I would like to believe that because technology has advanced, there is also an automotive paint technology that is currently appealing to buyers that keeps drawing them closer to blue.
Additionally, darker or emerald shades of green are on the radar too. Green has seen the greatest increase among chromatic colors in the past year. Individuals switching to green see it as a way to promote a green environment, while for some, it is just an era of experimenting to keep their options open and to be more versatile than before.
Implications for purchasers and the future of vehicle colors
At the beginning of this article, I mentioned that if you are planning on getting a car that will retain great value, then you should keep reading. From the information I have provided, the best choice would be neutral colors such as white, black and gray. This is because they are easy to resell and maintain and are just a general appeal to the world of drivers and within the automotive industry.
Choosing other brighter colors such as blue, green, and maybe yellow, for instance, is not a bad idea, but just be aware of the implications that come with that decision. White remains the top car color in the Americas based on the Kelley Blue Book report. One thing is certain as trends change: color is a reflection of cultural changes, technical advancements, and even economic considerations in addition to aesthetics.